Dry Draw Dam dam
Dry Draw Dam
Dry Draw Dam, located in Fall River, South Dakota, is a significant earth dam completed in 1920 with a height of 18 feet and a storage capacity of 288 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-Short Branch Creek, this federal-owned structure serves as a crucial water resource for the region, providing a normal storage capacity of 240 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 780 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, Dry Draw Dam has not been rated for its condition, posing a potential hazard due to its significant hazard potential.
Managed by the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Dry Draw Dam's purpose and associated structures remain unspecified, with limited information available regarding its design and construction. With no state regulation or permitting requirements in place, the dam's operation, inspection, and enforcement fall under federal jurisdiction. While the dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment remain unknown, its location and historical significance underscore the importance of monitoring and ensuring the safety of this essential water infrastructure for the surrounding community and ecosystem.
As a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Dry Draw Dam presents a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and public safety. With its rich history dating back to the early 20th century, this earth dam serves as a reminder of the vital role that dams play in managing water resources and mitigating natural hazards. By examining the challenges and opportunities associated with maintaining aging infrastructure like Dry Draw Dam, stakeholders can contribute to the dialogue on sustainable water management practices and resilience in the face of a changing climate.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Dry Draw Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hat Cr Near Edgemont Sd | 0 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne R At Edgemont Sd | 3 cfs | → |
| Horsehead Cr At Oelrichs Sd | · | → |
| Cheyenne R Below Angostura Dam Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Fall R At Hot Springs Sd | 34 cfs | → |
| Beaver Cr Near Buffalo Gap Sd | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dry Draw Dam.
Boat launches
- County Highway 6d Fall River County
- Sheps Canyon Road Fall River County
- Fall River County
- South Boat Ramp Road Fall River County
- Whitney Lake
Campgrounds
- Toadstool
- Toadstool Geological Park And Campground
- Soldier Creek
- Angostura State Rec Area
- Crawford City Park
- Fort Robinson State Park
Paddle runs
Track Dry Draw Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Dry Draw Dam
Where does the data for Dry Draw Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Dry Draw Dam.